Disclaimer: I obviously don't own Bleach.
A Hollow Maelstrom
Chapter 11
Dordoni Alessandro Del Socaccio groaned as he lay back on the cold floor of Los Noches. His blood fell down into the cold floor below. Distantly he heard the footsteps of the Shinigami retreat away. He had fought the Shinigami called Kurosaki in hopes of regaining his Espada rank.
He had failed, eventually after beating on the boy in his shikai state, he had pushed the boy to use bankai and then proceeded to turn into a hollow, practically cutting Dordoni in half. As his resurecction faded away he looked up blankly into the celling.
A swish of sonido announced the arrival of the Exequias. He heard more steps as they surrounded him. The emotionless skull-face of Rudobon gazed around him, an executioner's gaze into those empty blank holes.
''Dordoni-sama, do not fear, we will make this quick.'' There was a rasp as Arbol was drawn from its sheath.
Dordoni shut his eyes and sighed. So this is how it ended.
Then there was a cough, Rudobon turned around to see Ggio Vega and Avirama Redder stand, looking expectantly.
''What exactly are you doing Rudobon?'' Ggio asked.
''What are you doing out of your quarters?'' Rudobon countered.
''We were ordered to by Naruto-sama, Aizen-sama's orders only specified the Espada. We came as messengers.'' Avirama said.
''What message do you carry?'' Rudobon asked.
Ggio looked over to Dordoni's bloody body. ''Namely, Naruto-sama wanted the wounded to be immediately retrieved and taken to the medical bay for treatment. Somehow I don't think that's what you're doing'' the Fraccion noted.
''My orders come from Szayel Aporro-sama-'' Rudobon began.
''Last time I checked, Naruto-sama was Segunda, a much higher rank than Octava. And he was quite clear on what to do with the Privaron.'' Ggio noted.
Arbol went back in its sheath.
''Bring him to the medical wing immediately.'' Rudobon instructed the Calaveras.
Dordoni was in shock for a moment. What had just happened?
''Her resurecction lost and her spiritual center is destroyed, she is useless to us now.'' came the voice of Rudobon.
Cirucci Sanderwicchi looked up as she saw the forms of the Exequias appear in a burst of sonido, then she recognized the form of Ggio Vega and Avirama Redder, two of the Segunda's Fraccion, what where they doing here?
''Naruto-sama was clear on that actually. Bring this one to the human girl.'' Ggio told the Exequias leader.
Cirucci Sanderwicchi blinked in surprise as the human girl's hairpins receded back into their natural shape. She got up slowly, feeling her spiritual powers return to her. She grasped at the ground to see the form of her zanpaktou intact.
Nearby Gantenbainne got up as well, looking at his reformed zanpaktou. Dragra flipped back into his wrists. It was as if the human who had beaten him has never struck a single blow against him in the first place.
''Thank you Inoue-san.'' Ggio nodded to the girl who didn't reply. The Fraccion looked at the two Privaron.
''Would you mind following me?'' he asked.
''We don't' take orders from a Fraccion.'' Cirucci snarled.
''It's not really an order, more of a request.'' Ggio told her. ''Remember, you would be dead by Rudobon's blade is not for Naruto-sama's intervention.''
He had a point. Cirucci and Gantenbainne followed the two Fraccion out into the outer halls of Los Noches. After a few minutes of silence Cirucci spoke.
''Why? Why did he save us?'' she asked.
''Naruto-sama values the lives of his allies. Even though you are Privaron he still counts you as comrades. Even though you lost to the humans he considers you to be an important asset. He cannot attend to you right now because of other matters though.''
'Hello Szayel.'' Naruto said as he appeared with sonido. The Octava Espada looked to see Naruto walks towards him. A moment later Rudobon appeared behind Naruto, followed by a group of Exequias in formation.
''Segunda-sama, I trust you will explain this?'' Szayel looked Rudobon over.
''Rudobon is telling me a very interesting story, you had ordered him to chase down and kill the Privaron if they lost their matches, is this true Szayel?'' Naruto asked calmly.
''Yes Segunda-sama. I wanted to study the intruder's reiatsu signatures.'' Szayel told him.
''A rather noble goal, but I don't think it should have come at the cost of the Privaron. And don't give me that look Szayel, I know how much you are interested in their reiatsu, but you would have plenty of time to monitor them with your Fraccion after this whole thing blows over.'' He saw Szayel perk up as Naruto peered over at some bubbling beakers.
''What are you saying Naruto-sama?'' Szayel asked slowly.
''Nothing. I recommend you just still in your lab until the intruders are taken care of. After all you aren't a front line fighter are you?'' Naruto asked him.
Szayel sighed. ''You already know that.''
''Correct, I do, now Rudobon?'' Naruto turned to the skull-helmed Exequias leader.
''Yes Segunda-sama?'' he asked.
''I want you to take your men and report directly to the Quinto for the duration of the invasion, is that understood Rudobon?''
''Yes sir.''
Gin Ichimaru sat it the darkness of the Los Noches control room. Aizen has the entire palace designed so that the corridors could be shifted at a whim and traps revealed if he so chose. Only his two subordinates and the Espada where allowed in this room.
Then he noticed Ulquiorra come quietly into the room, hands folded in his pockets as usual. Gin gave a questioning look and leaned slightly over to look at the approaching Espada who walked silently towards him.
''Oh? Have they already entered the places of the Espada?'' Ulquiorra asked.
''Oh, you coming up and talking to me, does that mean you don't hate me?'' Gin asked.
''Never.'' Ulquiorra sighed and closed his eyes.
''Is that so? Then you and me better be getting along partner. I only have Luppi around here for company really.'' Gin told him.
Ulquiorra looked down at the glowing controls. ''This is-''
''Yep, it's aright.'' Gin smiled at him.
''The corridor controls, are you-.'' Ulquiorra began.
''Oh nothing like that, I just hate sad stories.'' Gin replied.
''So do I.'' cam a new voice at the door. Ulquiorra turned to face the newcomer.
''Naruto-sama.'' He said flatly. The Segunda gave a wicked grin and reappeared with sonido next to Gin the chair, the Shinigami Captain gave a small leap back as the Segunda came nearby.
''That was rather rude.'' He huffed.
''My apologies.'' Naruto grinned. ''Now what's this? The corridor controls? I love games.'' He began to tinker with a few.
''What are you doing?'' Ulquiorra asked him.
''Making things more interesting.'' answered Naruto.
Renji paused as he ran down the corridor of Los Noches, he had just felt Rukia's reiatsu flare up suddenly, as if in anger. It was quickly followed by another strange reiatsu. She had found an opponent probably, he cursed and continued to run along. He had to get to her.
About a half hour later Naruto watched as his four Fraccion reappeared with sonido near him. Across from him Nelliel watched him silently as he closed his eyes. Aaroneiro's final moments played in their brains as they felt his reiatsu vanish.
''Looks like AA's gone.'' Naruto said softly.
''if it's any consolation his opponent won't be living much longer.'' Nelliel said.
''Or at least until any medics arrive to help her, like I'm expecting.'' Naruto answered.
''Should I go and finish her off sir?'' Ggio asked.
''No. We have other priorities. Whether she lives or dies is of no concern to me at the moment. Instead I want you and Avirama to retrieve AA's body and bring it to the girl. I can't believe that guy had the memories of a Shinigami lieutenant and never told us. We could have learned much from him sooner.'' Naruto answered. Then he stopped and ran his pesquisa over Los Noches once more.
''Nelliel be a dear and talk to Grimmjow will you and restrain him? I have business with Ulquiorra.''
Chad stopped as he saw a huge familiar form come to stop in front of him. He recognized the face of the Arrancar who had torn up his arm. He activated both of his arms in response as Yammy grinned at him with amusement.
''Hey you're the ant that I beat up when I first came to the human world.''
''Yeah.'' Chad said quietly. ''I don't want to fight unless I absolutely have to, please move.''
Yammy laughed, it wasn't a pleasant sound. ''Make me you little worm-'' Chad's fist came in blazing, taking the Espada in the gut and throwing Yammy back through one of the white walls of Los Noches, the huge Arrancar stumbled and looked up, eyes furious.
''Where the hell did you get that kind of power!'' the human was far stronger than he had first encountered him. Chad's response was to fire off an El Directo into Yammy's face, sending him staggering back once more.
Yammy screamed with rage and opened his mouth, red reiatsu collected there and a cero fired off. Chad instinctively raised the Brazo Derecha de Gigante and took the cero in the arm. He skidded back several feet and pain shot up his arm, but it was intact and he took the cero.
Yammy's eyes widened in rage. This was impossible. He reappeared with a burst of sonido and slammed his fists into Chad who took the attack once more and dealt Yammy a right hook. A knee took him in the chest and he folded as Yammy brought his fist around again.
The Brazo Izquierda del Diablo caught the attack as Chad threw the massive Espada back, Yammy's eyes widening as he did so. Then five disks of crackling energy formed in Chad's hand as he punched forward quickly.
''La Muerte.''
The attack took Yammy in the gut and sent the Espada flying back again. Yammy coughed up blood as his entire world was suddenly thrown out of whack. He staggered back and was hurled through several pillars. A Directo then followed sending Yammy into another pillar.
Chad barely had time to react as a battered and bleeding Yammy reappeared behind him, Ira rose in one hand. His right shield arm blocked the first blow, with the blade cutting a little in, before Yammy rained another series of blows.
Then an arrow took Yammy through the shoulder as he staggered about. The Espada noticed a white-suited teen covered in small wounds appear next to Chad in a burst of sonido-like movement.
''Uryuu.'' Chad turned to see his friend.
''It looked like you needed some help.'' Ishida turned to look at the fuming Yammy who noticed the small wound in his shoulder. The Espada's jacket fell back to reveal a gothic ''10'' emblazoned there.
''He's just number 10. So if we work together we can beat him.'' Chad stated quietly . ''I already did a number on him.''
Yammy's eye twitched.
''You idiots, you won't kill me so easily.'' He grabbed the hilt of his zanpaktou.
''Get angry! Ira!''
''Rukia?'' Ichigo stopped in his tracks as he detected the last sheds of his reiatsu in the air.
''Oh? So you noticed. I thought you where just a brute that swung his word around, but it appears you possess some sense after all.'' Came a cold voice from above. Ulquiorra's silhouette appeared in a burst of sonido, light framing his white coat as he slowly stepped down the stairs.
''You're that-'' Ichigo began.
''It's been a while Shinigami.'' Ulquiorra told him.
''You're Ulquiorra.'' Ichigo said, images of the Espada running through his head.
The Cuatro looked down on him. ''You remember my name, but I don't recall telling you it.''
''Whatever, Kuchiki Rukia is dead.'' Ulquiorra stated.
Ichigo's eyes winded in shock. ''What did you say?''
''More accurately she and the Novano Espada killed each other at the same time. She was slashed all over and impaled with a spear. She is no longer alive.'' Ulquiorra said simply.
''Don't tell me that, Rukia's reiatsu just faded right now, you weren't fighting her so how could you possibly know?'' he asked.
''Memory Awareness. It's one of the Novano Espada's abilities as well as one of his duties. His role was to convey information about the enemy he fought.'' Ulquiorra stated tonelessly.
Ichigo turned around rapidly. Ulquiorra looked emotionlessly at his back.
''Where are you going?'' he asked.
''To save Rukia.'' Ichigo answered.
''I believe I told you-'' Ulquiorra suddenly stopped and Ichigo turned around to see a form appear by Ulquiorra.
''Man, I can't believe I almost missed this.'' Naruto shook his head.
Ichigo looked over the new blonde-haired Espada. He remembered Hitsugaya's account of his battle. ''Your Naruto, the Segunda aren't you?'' he asked.
''Correct, that I am.''
Ichigo tensed up.
''Naruto I was just cleaning up-'' Ulquiorra started.
''I believe Aizen-sama wanted you to stay in your quarters Ulquiorra, and this doesn't look like the batcave to me.'' Naruto made a show of looking around.
''Naruto-sama-'' Ulquiorra started again.
'' Ulquiorra, do me a favor and return to your quarters immediately and wait there until the top four as assembled. I will handle him.'' Naruto gestured. ''I do trust you can obey an order from a superior officer?'' he asked.
Ulquiorra sighed and disappeared with a burst of sonido. Naruto was silent for a moment as he felt Ulquiorra's reiatsu disappear. Ichigo looked at him with confusion.
''I actually wanted to speak with you before you went.'' Naruto said.
''No, I have to go save Rukia-'' Ichigo began. Then he was cut off by a huge burst of reiatsu. His eyes winded.
''What the hell was that?'' questioned Ichigo.
''Ah, that was Yammy. I'm afraid the information Soul Society has on the Espada is false, we are not numbered from 1 to 10 but rather from 0 to 9.'' Naruto informed him.
''What the hell are you saying?''
''What I'm saying is that when Yammy releases he becomes the strongest of us all, or at least theoretically.'' Naruto shrugged. ''But that's not what I wanted to talk to you about.'' He continued, but Ichigo was already running away.
''Hey, hey.'' Naruto reappeared in front of him with a burst of sonido. ''Just hear me out.''
Zangetsu came free of its bandages as Naruto casually blocked it with one hand. ''Get out of my way!''
''Gladly, as soon as you listen to me.'' Ichigo leapt back as a burst of reiatsu pushed him back. He looked at the Espada suspiciously.
''I'm get this over with soon. I'm not really your enemy or your friend. I hate Aizen and plan to rebel against him, unfortunately the arrival of you and your friends messed up my plans, but they fit Aizen's perfectly.'' Naruto told him.
''What are you talking about?'' the Shinigami demanded.
''Haven't you ever wondered why Aizen hasn't crushed you by now? He knows full well that you have invaded and your progress so far. Tough as you and your friends are they will die against the full might of the Espada. And Yet Aizen has chosen not to strike. Do you want to know why?''
''Get to the point!''
''Aizen deliberately lured you here to serve as bait for the Gotei 13 so that they would rescue you. Then he would shut off the garganta access and attack Karakura while your away.'' Naruto stated flatly. He watched the Shinigami's face dart through a variety of emotions.
''So if I'm right the Captains should be arriving soon to recue you and your friends. The Kuchiki girl is alive at the moment, and may live. I don't really care as to her fate honestly, but I won't deliberately go out to finish her off. Although I would he hurrying to help your other two friends, they need your help more at the moment, unless you're a trained medic?'' Naruto asked Ichigo.
The Shinigami looked like he had swallowed a lemon. He was obviously fighting an internal war in himself. Naruto smirked and stepped out of the way. ''There you go Kurosaki.''
Renji ran through a long walkway and exited into a dark room. A chill swept through his body as he recognized faint hints of Rukia's reiatsu. He found himself in a dark room, with the walls and floor iced over. It was the work of Rukia's zanpaktou.
Several feet away he spotted two Arrancar lift up some sort of white-clad body. One was a shirtless, tanned man with red tattoos spiraling over his body. The other was a younger, effeminate boy with a wispy ponytail.
Before he could do anything they vanished in a burst of sonido, revealing Rukia.
''Rukia!'' he shouted as he ran towards her.
''Another Shinigami?'' came a deep voice. Renji looked around to see a tall dark-skinned man in a white uniform step into the room. It was an arrancar. Renji took out Zabimaru.
''Who are you?''
The man looked at him with amusement. ''I am Zommari Rureaux, the Septima Espada.'' He said, slowly taking out a spiky-hilted zanpaktou.
''Seven eh? That's not too high up. ''Renji's eyes flickered to see Rukia on the ground.
''If you intend to rescue that girl then I can't allow that.'' Zommari told him.
''Like hell, Bankai!'' reiatsu swirled around as a massive bone snake took shape around Rukia protecting her. Then the head lashed forward, jaws opening up and roaring. Zommari blurred for a moment as the head passed through him.
A sword tore a large slash though Renji's shoulder He gritted his teeth in pain.
''Among the Espada my sonido is the second-fasted after the Segunda's.'' Zommari stated. Hiho Zabimaru then came cashing in as avoided it again. Then two more Zommari appeared next to Renji and slashed him yet again.
Zabimaru came at him again.
''Stay still dammit!''
Zommari raised an eyebrow. ''How intriguing, you make demands of your opponent in battle.'' Zabimaru crashed against Brujeria as Zommari's reiatsu flared. In one moment Renji's entire attack was halted.
''My power is more than speed.'' Zommari told him. Then the sections of Zabimaru detached and floated in the air, red energy surrounding them. Zommari looked up in amusement. ''Hm?''
''Higa Zekku!'' Renji shouted as the fragments collided together. Chips of ice and slate were thrown high into the air as Renji looked around for his opponent.
Then pain as he looked down to see a zanpaktou thrust through his chest. ''Your attack was far too slow to catch me.'' Zommari said. Brujeria was withdrawn as Renji staggered about, blood spilling from his chest.
''I pity I didn't even have to release, if course I merely have to decapitate you in order to kill you.'' Zommari stated. Renji gritted his teeth.
''Dammit.'' Then he widened his eyes as he looked behind Zommari. The Septima glanced behind him.
''And who might you be?'' he asked the newcomer.
Renji already knew who this man was.
It was Captain Byakuya.
A massive fist crashed into the ground as Chad was thrown back several dozen feet. Pain screamed through his body. The strength of the Espada was unbelievable, it was like incredible that someone could be this strong.
Ishida fired off a storm of arrows as Yammy who merely took it with a flex of his arms.
''Weak as hell!'' his fist came crashing through the air as Ishida barely avoided it. More arrows hit the fist, but they were like pinpricks to Yammy who brought his other fist and fired off a massive bala. Again Ishida barely avoided the attack. But he wasn't so lucky the second time.
The bala hit him head on as he was sent flying to the ground, his body broken and battered. A massive tail smashed it the ground near him, sending the Quincy flying through the air as sands whipped around him, he coughed out blood as he hit the ground roughly.
''This is a dammed disgrace, having to force me to release like this.'' Yammy rumbled, raising a fist.
''Bye!''
''Getsuga Tensho!'' a black crescent hit him in the fact as Yammy staggered back, followed by another, and then another. Yammy roared in anger and pain as Ichigo suddenly appeared next to Ishida, his hollow mask on.
''Are you okay?'' he looked at his friend. Ishida coughed up blood.
''I'm find, that guy he's the Cero-''
''I know.'' responded Ichigo as he looked up. Yammy shook his head around as blood poured from a small cut on his forehead.
''Dammed insects!'' a massive bala headed towards Ichigo who dodged it while grabbing Ishida, the Quincy righted himself after a moment as Ichigo lashed out with a Getsuga, sending the massive Arrancar stumbling back again. Multiple legs rumbled the ground below as Yammy charged once again.
Then an El Directo impacted his side. Yammy barely felt the impact and lashed out with his tail, sending Chad flying into a nearby pillar.
''Chad!'' a bala interpret Ichigo as he barely dogged out of the way. Yammy's face was twisted with rage. His huge arms pumped forward, sending more and more bala over the place. Huge bursts of sand where blown up into the air as Ishida and Ichigo struggled to dodge the sudden barrage.
And then….
Ichigo's head snapped around as he sensed a familiar presence.
''You!'' Ichigo gasped.
''Hey Ichigo, what the hell is that?'' Kenpachi looked up, sword slung over his shoulder.
''Oh look it's berry kun!'' Yachiru waved from his shoulder.
''Kukuku, an released Espada, interesting.'' grinned Mayuri Kurotsuchi as well as he appeared in a burst of shunpo.
Author's Note:And here events start to diverge from that of Hueco Mundo. Naruto countermanding Szayel's orders is something I can really see him doing. He feels that if he saves the Privaron then they will owe him. I mean, he has a girl who can reject death itself. If I where Naruo I would be exploiting that.
As for the whole Chad vs. Yammy thing, Chad has improved significantly since their last encounter. If he can take out Gantenbienne pretty easily with his new arm then I figure he can at least give sealed Yammy a challenge.
As for Aaroniero, Naruto basically saw him reveal everything through the whole Memory Awareness thing. Considering that Kaien is a Lieutenant and thus fairly high up there in terms of the Gotei 13 military structure, he would know quite a lot. Naruto simply isn't going to let that piece of military intelligence slip away when he can exploit it.
Granted, Kaien was killed a few decades ago, but he has knowledge that would be invaluable for Naruto.
Currently Naruto's relationship with Ichigo is complex. He intends to use him against Aizen, but he doesn't have any really great like for him at the moment. (Since he's a Shinigami and invading Naruto's home) currently his plan is to basically point him at Aizen's supporters and let them beat each other up.
He is keeping his promise to Orhime, however all of that comes secondary to his own plans of overthrowing Aizen. Since the Shinigami Captains have arrived, the invasion of Karakura is about to begin.
A note on the length of this fic, it won't end anytime soon, I already have Chapters 12 and 13 as unedited drafts and if I'm right I'll have a few more chapters after that before the end of the fic comes. Rest assured, everything including Aizen's final defeat is already planned out in my head.
